The wonderful city is well known for having its New Year's Eve, which is the most famous in Brazil, with its parties, shows, lots of people and other attractions, in addition to its programming, which is incredible at this time and for all audiences. Rio de Janeiro is also a year-round tourist destination, given its natural beauty and tourist attractions.

At this time of year, the flow of tourists increases considerably. In 2019, this number reached more than 1.5 billion people who went to Copacabana, where there were fireworks on this beach, which lasted more than 10 minutes, and it is also very famous throughout the city for its many fires. fireworks or parties that are open to the public.

Copacabana New Year's Eve is the most talked about. It's very famous. In the past, this party was of a religious nature and attended only by a few people who were residents of Copacabana and devotees. In the mid-80s of the last century, hotels on the waterfront and support from authorities joined in to transform it into a major event.

The event became the biggest, taking place at the end of the year in Rio de Janeiro and more precisely in Copacabana, welcoming more than 3 million people who together celebrated the year of peace and much love. In 2020 there were 4 stages, with shows by Diogo Nogueira, Ferrugem, Mangueira and Dj Malboro, just to name a few who were on the main stage.

The pandemic and the current model of this party 

For the year 2020/2021, Rio City Hall has already announced that it will not hold New Year's Eve in the current model and is studying a celebration that will be virtual and without the presence of the public, due to COVID-19. A scientific committee will still analyze whether public presence until this turn of the year will be viable. According to the municipal administration, the reason would still be the lack of a vaccine.

What is known so far is that this party will not take place in its traditional model, with millions of people, what is being studied is a party without the direct presence of the public. The announcement came after São Paulo City Hall also postponed the event of another party that attracts thousands of people, which is the 2021 carnival.

However, some samba schools in Rio and São Paulo have also stated that it is unfeasible to hold Carnival parades without a vaccine and this decision on this presentation was left for the month of September for the Special Group Samba Schools. In a statement, these city halls reinforced that this is not the time for this party and the efforts are to save lives.  

Riotur has already informed that New Year's Eve is not considered a rigid event and that it could happen in many ways, without the presence of 3 million people on Copacabana Beach. A new proposal will still be presented for the celebration of the New Year and should still be presented to Mayor Marcelo Crivella in the coming days.

What this party could be like in Rio de Janeiro in 2021

The first idea is that a project should be prepared for this party, which should be without the direct presence of the public, so that all efforts can be concentrated to save lives and control this pandemic. In 2021, this New Year's Eve could be very different and with a virtual model to reach the public via TV or digital platforms.

According to Riotur, the priority objective will be to protect people's safety. The new model for this party, which has not yet been presented, must have complete financial viability and will focus on 100% in the private sector. Riotur also understands that the current scenario intended to combat this pandemic requires City Hall's resources to be used to combat the virus.

The promise is that New Year's Eve can be developed in the month of August, with no steps to be followed by the City of Rio de Janeiro, within a natural schedule. However, the construction of this party in an alternative model to what we know is being discussed with representatives from all sectors involved in this great party in Rio de Janeiro.

There is a great expectation that cases will decrease, as the holding of this party depends on cases of the new coronavirus. A greater distribution of stages, for example, throughout the city would mean that people would congregate less on the waterfront. The hope is that by then, the number of infected people will decrease and a second wave of contagion will not occur. 

Nothing is still certain

So far we don't know what New Year's Eve will be like in Copacabana. What we are sure of is that we will move from 2020 to 2021, that we must reduce the crowding of people, with Rio City Hall, studying other alternatives, such as shows being held over the internet, as we are already used to with live shows, which do so much success in this time of pandemic.

Any decision regarding New Year's Eve 2021 in Rio de Janeiro by City Hall will be informed to the press. The scenario is still inconclusive and there is no definition for planning this event and in the current circumstances it requires special care, in a party that brings together thousands of people, it needs an analysis that must be done in detail, in a very broad discussion.

This entire discussion should also encompass many results of studies that are scientific. What is known is that people's safety must be preserved, in an atmosphere that must be reflective in the face of so many lives that have been lost to this terrible disease. The traditional New Year's Eve model will not be viable in a pandemic scenario and without a vaccine to combat this disease.